To expect a bus service

[wossgoinon]

Central Beds are not subsidising the post 16 bus from my village to the local school. The government state that under 18s need to stay in education or training yet we have no transportation. Students who do not even live in the catchment can get the bus because they are coming in from the city

I’m even willing to pay the £285 per term for the commercial bus but this won’t run unless there is enough bums on seats. My neighbour who is on a lower income can’t afford it so her son won’t have a chance in going into further education

I can’t take him myself as I am a single parent who works in London. It’s not feasible to change jobs as I will not receive the same money and I can’t work from home as I am in construction

I have written to my MP and district councillor regarding this.

Aibu

Is there no transport available to get him to any post 16 provision?

Actually thinking about it where I live ( and it's not rural )parents have to pay for transport to get them to post 16 .

Could you look into sharing a taxi? Maybe a 7 seater. The council might agree to subsidise it.

How far is the facility from home ?

How far is it? Is there a service bus they can get? (I remember getting a bus pass when I was at college that meant I could still get a child ticket when going to college- is this still a thing?)

You are definitely not being unreasonable.
This is such a common problem. The government really didn't think it through when they bought in 'stay in education or training'.
When does your child turn 17? I would make learning too drive and getting a car a priority if you can afford it.
Options for now...
Is there anyone else in the village travelling that way that could car share?
I think you can ride a moped at 16.
A shared taxi for those in the village/ next village over travelling to sixth form?
Will there still be transport for the younger kids? Why can't 16+ use it?
I spent half term at my mother in law's average size market town and the lack and general crap service of public transport bought me almost to tears a few times.

It's typical town centric government thinking that create policies!!!

Rural living is so different, lack of transport, lack of work and college opportunities etc.

Ds1 has just finished sixth form.
All provision is in the nearest city, accessed via public transport.
He typically has a 90 min journey & it's only about 12 miles.
£660 a year bus pass, more expensive in total purchased in shorter periods - £7.50 a day, £25 a week etc.
They do offer subsided bus passes for low income, £60 per half term, applied for via the council.

Is the lack of public transport a new thing ? Surely this is something you need to consider when deciding to live rurally you cant have it both ways.

Thank you for your replies

I’m not in the middle of nowhere. I live on the A5. We have hardly any buses. My son used to get the school bus but now he is post 16 he will not be allowed to go on it. The commercial post 16 bus will not come here unless there is enough students.
I am willing to pay the £285 per term but unless there is enough students they will not run the service! My older daughter was lucky as the council did subside the bus and it came to the village but now .. nothing

@DDiva I have always lived here and they had transportation. It’s in the last two years all this changed. I can’t afford to move. I don’t live in a naice village I’m on the A5 right next to the M1

That’s shocking I hope you manage to sort something with the council or maybe a shared taxi with a few other students.
We are lucky in greater Manchester 16-18 year olds in full time education get a free unlimited bus pass they can even use it weekends etc
It really helped so my son could access a better sixth form further away that would of cost us a fortune a day otherwise

I really can't understand the logic of not letting 6th formers/college kids use the school bus. Utterly ridiculous.
Good luck with your MP - I hope they will help. I know several 16 year olds who have had to turn down college courses or apprenticeships because they have zero way of getting there.

I can’t afford another car and I was thinking about a moped but I just worry about the safety. I we have a lot of developments going on and lorries coming in back and forth. I just don’t know

@Crazycakelady17 that is brilliant. I hope our council will have that foresight

Worth pursuing use of the bus for school children with the council. Might be socially embarrassing but seems a suitable option.

They could just supply a bigger bus ! To accommodate under 16s and over 16 in the village

Has anyone fought the council and won?